Pot Marigold
The pot marigold plant, also known as Calendula, has several health benefits. The name actually refers to the plant’s gold colored flowers, not the genus name of the plant. They normally bloom a couple of months after planting and continue blooming throughout the season.
Pot marigold uses
- The marigold flowers are edible, and often used to bring some color to salads
- You can use this herb to treat minor abrasions, fevers, varicose veins and infections
- It also helps heal insect bites and bee stings (make a salve and keep it handy)
Aloe Vera
This plant is most famous for its amazing ability to relieve the pain associated with all types of burns, including sunburns. Simply cut open the leaf to expose the gel inside and then spread it over the affected area. It will relieve the pain and promote healing.
You can also use the gel from an Aloe Vera plant to heal cuts, scrapes and a variety of skin conditions that include eczema.Used internally as an Aloe Vera juice, it may also help relieve symptoms associated with constipation, ulcerative colitis and digestive problems.
Cloves
Cloves have some excellent benefits that can help improve your overall health. For example, they can help ease toothache and stomach pain and help reduce inflammation. Cloves also have the ability kill a variety of harmful bacteria that could make your sick. Clove essential oil is used to purify the blood, boost the immune system and to treat a variety of respiratory problems.
Basil
Easy to grow, basil is an aromatic herb worth growing in your garden to spice up your soups, pasta, and add to sandwiches. Basil adds a rich flavor to all types of food, but it also helps to reduce your risks of low blood sugar.
Basil uses and benefits
- Use basil leaves to treat and heal cuts, scrapes and minor abrasions.
- It may help eliminate gas, ease PMS symptoms, improve your appetite and relieve stress.
- Basil can also be used to treat sore throat pain, reduce fevers, treat respiratory problems and it may even help prevent kidney stones.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus tea is used to help lower blood pressure and it has antioxidant agents that help improve blood circulation. As a result, it can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. This herb is also used to treat arthritis pain, diabetes and it may even help prevent cancer.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass has a great lemony smell along with antioxidants, flavonoids, anti-fungal and antimicrobial agents that help to treat many health problems. It’s used to reduce inflammation, improve digestive problems and to fight all types of infections. Lemongrass tea has sedative agents that can help you relax and sleep more peacefully.
It detoxifies and cleans toxins from the body, reduces fevers and treats a variety of respiratory disorders. Lemongrass essential oil can help stimulate the nervous system, relieve anxiety, stress and fatigue and it eases a variety of aches and pains.
Coriander
Cilantro is a parsley-type herb. When grown for leaves only, it is called cilantro but if allowed to continue growing to seed, it becomes what is called coriander. Coriander requires cool temperatures or it will bolt. Coriander grows best in full sun. Only the immature leaves are sold. (The mature “feathery” leaves that precede bolting are not desirable.) To grow in a slab: upon final harvest, pull out plants by the roots and re-seed directly into slab, or transplant. Harvest by cutting tops to crown and allowing to re-grow
Peppermint
Peppermint aids the digestive system and provides you with a good source of calcium, potassium and Vitamin A, B and C. Rubbing the crushed leaves onto the skin can help relieve pain caused by sore muscles. This herb can also ease nausea, eliminate gas, lower fevers, reduce IBS symptoms and inhibit bacterial growth.
Fennel
Fennel is a perennial (but usually grown as an annual) that grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall. The leaves are finely divided into thread-like segments and are light green and resemble Dill. It grows easily from seed planted in spring and grows best in full sun. Plants need to be staked when 18 inches tall. Harvest seeds when ripe. Tender flower stalks just before they blossom are best for eating. Fennel seeds are used as a condiment. The leaves have an anise-like flavor and the stems can be eaten like celery. Seeds can be used in cheese spreads and vegetable dishes.
